Well last chapter was something wasn't it? I was happy to receive many notifications for it and am glad everyone loved it! forevermissPennyLane I'm sorry I didn't put you in yesterday's thanks but I got the email the same time I submitted Chapter 17. I thank you for being another favorite though! ashleynicole72 thank you for being another favorite and following my story! I hope you read on! percabeth til the end 01 thank you for the review and I know it's sad but so entertaining right? livingtodance I'm glad you liked this chapter and I wish something like this happened in the book too! LostGirl24 thank you for following and being another favorite! I hope you continue to read! ClaireMoneith I know what you mean and it is tragic but nothing is over when you love someone (hint hint)! Gilmoregirls1197 thank you as always for your reviews! Love hearing what you say about them! Panda-Crazy-19 when two hot guys fight when is it not awesome? Thanks for your review! theselection-divergent-thehost thanks for your review and I really hope that happens in the book too!

Thanks to everyone who read and please keep giving me feedback!

Love, Smashleigh

Chapter 18:

As soon as I couldn't hear his footsteps I walked back into my room. But I didn't make it far before I collapsed on the floor. Slowly the tears seeped out of my eyes and I could hear the raspy sobs escape my throat. Dear God what have I done? I was being too irrational with him. I've been too absorbed in my own emotions to even think of his! My sobs grew louder and I buried my face in my hands. How could I do this to him?

I felt Maxon's hand on my shoulder and looked up at him. His eyes seemed dead though, as if he was staring right through me. But I pulled him down to me and buried my face in his shoulder. His arms came around me but he didn't say a word to reassure me.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

"I didn't want either of you to get hurt. Especially you." I said between sobs.

He didn't say anything. Finally I pulled back to look at his face and he looked down at me as if I weren't even there. "But why didn't you tell me immediately?" he asked. "I trust you America but why?"

I looked into his eyes but they seemed so lifeless. He did trust me and I refused to tell him for so long. Just tell him, I said to myself, what could be any worse?

"When I was never one hundred percent sure about you I'd always have him to talk to. Even though he was my ex he was still my best friend." I told him.

Maxon nodded. "And did you ever…" he paused, "kiss?"

My eyes dropped to the ground and I nodded. I couldn't look at Maxon right now. It would be too damn awful to look at him now.

He sighed and I looked up at him. "Listen I…" he paused, "I think I can let this go. But only if you'd answer me this."

"Oh Maxon anything!" I cried.

"I just want to know if you are wholly mine now. That I won't have any other jealous lover come beating down my door." he said it as if it were a joke.

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him hard. "Maxon I'm yours! Truly!" I said. "You need never worry about anyone else!"

"Good," he said, "because I don't care about anyone else. If someone comes beating down my door they'll be turned away. You're here now aren't you? And you love me now, don't you? What else matters?"

He kissed me and I sat in his arms letting the last of my tears fall. "Thank you Maxon. I know it's hard and I can't imagine what you're thinking."

"I'm thinking that stupid idiot just let the most wonderful woman in the world go and I was lucky enough to keep her." he told me.

I snuggled deeper in his arms. I've worried of how to tell him about Aspen and now I was glad that it was out. I felt like a weight had just been lifted off my shoulders and I was free once more.

"Are you mad?" I asked him.

He tilted my face to look at him. "I'm disappointed." he said. "I wish you would've told me and I wouldn't have to suffer this." He pointed to his bloody forehead.

"Let's clean that up." I told him.

"Sit." she said pointing to the edge of the tub.

Obediently I sat and waited as she wetted a wash cloth. We were silent as she blotted the cut on my forehead.

"I'm really sorry." she said putting the cloth in a hamper. "I just-"

I walked over to her and folded her in my arms. "You rend to rant a lot." I teased her.

She smiled and laid her head on my shoulder. "But please, please, please don't let this come between us." she said. "Ever!"

I kissed her quickly and smiled. "Darling I don't care what happens as long as I have you." I told her.

"Good." she said. "Now get out before you get in even more trouble!"

She pushed me towards the door and I gave her one more quick kiss. "Love you." I whispered pulling away.

"Love you too." she said slowly shutting the door.

I slept peacefully that night for the first time in a while. Even though the evening didn't go exactly as I expected it was reassuring to know that I was safe in my position. I had Maxon, who loved me no matter what, and soon would be able to openly express his feelings for me in front of everyone. Oh God! That makes me a slight bit nervous!

I got out of bed and strode over to the balcony. The cool Angeles air swept over me and I breathed in the sweet smell. It was beautiful outside and I couldn't help but admire the miles and miles of beautiful land laid out before me. The hills rolled for miles and miles and I could faintly see the palace walls.

There was rustling in the garden and I glanced down to see what it was. Faintly I could make out a few figures creeping in the shadows.

"Which one's hers?" someone whispered.

After a pause there was an answer from a familiar voice. "This one."

"No I'm pretty sure it's this one." someone said. Elise.

I didn't go and run for anyone. I was going to confront them here and now. Slowly, one by one, they came into view. I stayed in the shadows and they didn't even notice me.

"Do you have it?" Celeste asked Daphne.

Daphne brought out a small vial and shook it. "I've been waiting for this all week." she replied.

"What is that?" Elise asked.

Celeste rolled her eyes. "What else could we do to get rid of her?" she asked impatiently. "It's poison!"

I felt weak all of a sudden. But I couldn't collapse now, not when they were close to me. Suddenly running to get someone didn't sound like a bad idea.

"Let's just get this over with." Daphne said. "I'd like to get my ring soon."

"Your ring?" Elise snapped. "I'm still in this you idiot!"

"Well you are both wrong!" Celeste said. "If he's going to marry anyone it's me!"

Elise laughed. "You guys are so stupid. Both of you aren't in this for a reason and it'll be just me left. He'll have to marry me."

"Well none of you are marrying him!" I snapped emerging from the shadows.

They all froze in their place and slowly turned to look at me. All six eyes stared daggers at me and I just looked at them with a smug expression.

"Well, well, well." Celeste said. "You've grown into quite the little sneak."

"Oh please." I said. "So you think you can get away with this?"

"It's three on one, honey." Daphne said. "I believe we are."

"And who's going to be responsible when Maxon finds his fiancée dead?" I asked them.

"Fiancée?" they all said in unison.

I stepped into the light and let the ring shine. "Actually he proposed last night." I told them fingering the ring. There was a small chink on the side that felt like a button and I pressed it. Nothing.

"Well that's too bad." Daphne said. "Because it's going to be such a short engagement."

"And what are you going to do to make me drink the poison?" I asked them. "I'm pretty sure I'm stronger than you three combined."

"Oh really now?" Celeste said stepping closer.

Before she could grab me there was a knock on the door and Maxon stepped in. "America are-" he stopped when he spotted the three other girls. "What's going on here?"

"Quick!" Celeste said as she lunged at me.

I dodged her and made a beeline for Maxon. "How'd you know?" I asked looking up at him.

"You pushed the little button on the ring." he told me. "I forgot to tell you about it last night."

"Thank you." I whispered.

He wrapped an arm around my waist and turned back to the girls. "Now what's going on?" he snapped.

Daphne and Elise looked near to tears but Celeste stood proud and tall. "I think you're about to find out." she said just as the rebel alarm went off.

I grabbed America's hand and rushed her into the hall. But someone got a hold of her and tried pulling her back. "Not so fast Your Majesty." Celeste grumbled yanking America away from me.

Quick as a viper she pulled out a small needle and injected it into America's wrist. She screamed and I pulled her away before the injection was done. Without another word the three girls disappeared out of sight, sliding off the balcony.

"M-Maxon…" America stammered grasping my hand.

I grabbed her and cradled her in my arms. Immediately I ran to the nearest secret door and flew down the stairs as fast as I could, watching America's face grow paler and paler.